Innovating in the welfare and sustainability of domestic poultry through research and collaboration was the central theme of the 2024 Poultry Sustainability and Welfare Summit, organised by the International Poultry Welfare Alliance (IPWA) and the US Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs (US-RSPE), held in Atlanta, USA from 3 to 6 September 2024. Attendees included the world’s leading experts, gathered for a platform of innovative perspectives and groundbreaking knowledge at this biennial event.
The 2024 Poultry Sustainability and Welfare Summit programme highlighted the commitment of US-RSPE, IPWA and the poultry industry to sustainability and welfare. By fostering collaboration, innovation and education, the path is being paved for a more sustainable and humane future for poultry production. Their initiatives are not only setting new standards, but also inspiring a global movement towards a better and more responsible poultry sector.
IPWA is spearheading innovative approaches to poultry welfare through its Research and Innovation Committee, which has launched a series of events designed to envision the future of poultry welfare through to 2050. These events serve as a platform for industry professionals and researchers to strategise and discuss the advances needed to improve welfare standards, and the Committee is working alongside IPWA’s Poultry Health and Welfare Committee to continue research into robust, repeatable and reliable key indicators.
These events are not merely a discussion forum but a catalyst for innovation. Their aim is to foster partnerships between academia and industry, driving research and securing funding for innovative projects. The first of these events took place at IPPE in January 2024 and was a significant success, leading to its expansion to other major conferences, such as the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP) and the Poultry Science Association (PSA), with further events planned for EuroTier 2024, IPPE 2025 and VIV Asia 2025.
The central theme of these events is “what poultry will look like in 2050 and how we will get there“, encouraging participants to exchange ideas on future trends and advances. Discussions focus on identifying future needs, research directions and setting out the 2023–2026 strategy to improve poultry welfare standards, fostering a collective effort towards a better future for poultry welfare.
Transforming poultry welfare training and education is the objective being achieved by IPWA’s Education and Training Committee, which is making significant strides in welfare education. To this end, the Committee has launched comprehensive training modules focused on the welfare of broilers, laying hens and turkeys, which have become essential resources for industry professionals and educational programmes.
In addition to these modules, the Committee has organised a series of webinars offering detailed insight into key welfare indicators for different types of domestic poultry. These webinars are accessible on the IPWA YouTube channel, providing valuable educational content to a wider audience.
The next Poultry Welfare and Sustainability Summit will take place in 2026.
For further information:
-. IPWA (International Poultry Welfare Alliance)
-. Poultry Events Calendar